Champagne problems 2

IMOGEN'S POV

The word 'wife' hung in the air between us, heavy with all the things we'd never said.

"I haven't forgotten," Elijah said quietly. "But this... this is complicated."

I laughed, a hollow sound that echoed in the silent room. "Complicated doesn't begin to cover it, Elijah. You've made sure of that."

Elijah slammed his fist on the table, the china rattling with the impact. He stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. "Don't you dare blame all of this on me!" he roared, his composure finally shattering. "When I came back, all I wanted was a clean break. I told my parents I wanted out, that I had someone else. But they refused!"

I stood my ground, unflinching in the face of his anger. "Oh really? I was at the Portland Women's Society meeting, Elijah. Lana didn't bat an eye when Deborah was there. Which means she probably had no idea your new love was a Sutton."